Royal Mews

The finest working stable in the world, the Royal Mews is responsible for all road travel undertaken by the Royal Family. Take a tour of the Queen’s ‘garage’ and see what it takes to keep the Royal Family on the move!

See the beautiful Gold State Coach, used for coronations for nearly 200 years, the stunning Irish State Coach, and the fleet’s newest addition, the magnificent Diamond Jubilee State Coach

Visit the working stables where the royal horses live, and learn why different breeds work on different occasions

Take a free guided tour led by a friendly, knowledgeable Royal Mews Warden (April to October only)

The fabulous Gold State Coach, which is drawn by eight horses, has carried every new monarch to their coronation ceremony since King George IV in 1821.

The newer, smaller, but no less spectacular addition to the Royal Mews’ fleet of coaches is the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Built to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, it’s only the second coach to be built for the Royal Family in over a century! Though very much designed in the traditional style, it was built with modern features such as interior heating and electric windows!

The coach ‘engines’

The ‘engines’ of the coaches and carriages are of course the beautiful horses. The mews is home to two breeds, Cleveland Bays and Windsor Greys, with equally beautiful livery – a lady as stylish as HM The Queen requires her horses to be well dressed!

Alternative modes of transport

Not all journeys have the significance of a coronation or the State Opening of Parliament, so occasionally the royals get around by car. As you’d expect, however, these aren’t your average family cars – pay a visit to the Queen’s two enormous Bentley state limousines, and a Rolls Royce Phantom IV – the rarest Rolls Royce in history.

Opening times

The Royal Mews is open throughout the year, except from December to January and during State Visits and royal events.

1 February - 25 March and 1 - 30 November: open Monday to Saturday from 10am - 4pm (last admission at 3.15pm)

26 March - 31 October: open daily from 10am-5pm (last admission at 4.15pm)